This Week at City Hall

Pension Board Representatives Address Council Committee

The City’s growing pension obligations have spurred a call for a review of the pension system. This week, representatives from Houston’s three employee pension boards addressed Council’s Budget & Fiscal Affairs Committee. Delegates from the Police, Firefighters’, and Municipal Employees’ boards provided their thoughts on possible reforms to their systems.

New Appointments to the Houston Port Commission

Council appointed Dean Corgey, Vice President of the Seafarers International Union Gulf Coast Region, to serve as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Houston Port Authority. Corgey, a longtime organizer for the Seafarers Union and lifelong Houston resident, has been Vice President of the Gulf Coast Region since 1990.

Corgey’s appointment fills the seat previously held by Janiece Longoria, who was named Chair of the Port Commission on January 8th. Ms. Longoria is the first woman and the first Latina to chair the Port Commission, and has been a member of this commission since her appointment in 2002. Both Corgey and Longoria are District C constituents.

On the Consent Agenda

Council authorized a funding agreement between the City of Houston and TxDOT to replace the Yale St. Bridge. Through this collaboration, this historic bridge will receive fast-tracked funding for its replacement. Additionally, the bridge will undergo a reinforcement procedure that will bolster its weight limit. The Public Works Department began the bidding process for that project this week.

The Houston City Council uses a “consent agenda” for routine, non-controversial items needing little or no deliberation. Those items are identified on the agenda and are approved with one vote unless a council member, staff or citizen requests that the item be considered separately.

What’s Happening in the Annex

Representatives from the Braeswood Place Homeowners’ Association and the Public Works & Engineering Department visited the District C office for a meeting to determine the best traffic enforcement options for safeguarding the Braeswood Place community from cut-through speeders.

Council Members’ offices are not in the main City Hall building, but are located immediately across the street at the City Hall Annex. The District C office is located on the 1st Floor.